switch (loopPhase) {
    case 0:
        //first phase of the loop is moving straight forward until loopStartDistance is reached
        loopStartDistance -= abs(xspeed);
        if (abs(xspeedCurrent) < xspeedMax) {
            xspeedCurrent += xAccel*image_xscale;
            xspeed = floor(xspeedCurrent);
        }

        if (loopStartDistance <= 0) {
            xspeed = 0;
            loopPhase += 1;
            loopCentrex = x;
            loopCentrey = y-loopRadius;
        }
        image_index = 0;
        break;

    case 1:
        //main phase of the loop, rotate around a centre until diving straight down
        x = round(loopCentrex + (loopRadius * dsin(loopAngleCurrent)));
        y = round(loopCentrey + (loopRadius * dcos(loopAngleCurrent)));

        loopAngleMax -= abs(loopAngleIncrement);
        loopAngleCurrent += loopAngleIncrement;
        loopSectionCurrent -= abs(loopAngleIncrement);

        if (loopAngleMax <= 0) {
            loopPhase += 1;
            xspeed = 0;
            yspeed = yspeedFall;
        }

        //setting animation and rotation during the loop
        if (loopSectionCurrent <= 0) {
            loopSectionCurrent += 45;
            if (image_index == 0) {
                image_index = 1;
            } else {
                image_index = 0;
                image_angle += 90*image_xscale;
            }
        }
        break;

    case 2:
        //nose diving towards the ground until collision
        if (instance_exists(global.player)) {
            if (!diveDirectionSet) {
                if (sign(floor(x) - floor(global.player.x) == image_xscale))
                    diveDirection = image_xscale;
                diveDirectionSet = true;
            }
        }
        xspeed = diveHomingSpeed * diveDirection;
        image_index = 0;
        image_angle = 270*image_xscale;

        //blow up if in contact with the player
        if (instance_place(x,y,global.player))
            script_execute(vfDeath, id);
        break;
}